New Mexico to experience solar eclipse Saturday

A sizable chunk of New Mexico will experience a near-total solar eclipse on Saturday morning, though the phenomenon will be a little less pronounced in Quay County.

NASA describes the event that day as an annular eclipse - where the moon passes between the sun but is at or near its farthest point from Earth. As a result, the moon appears smaller than the sun and doesn't completely cover it.

A NASA map shows the eclipse starting in New Mexico in the Four Corners area and moving southeast. Areas of Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and a sliver of northeast California also will experience the full event.

Among the cities in New Mexico that will experience the peak annular eclipse of 90% sun coverage are Albuquerque, Roswell, Hobbs, Santa Fe, Gallup, Los Alamos, Farmington and Santa Rosa. Tucumcari is about 50 miles east of the peak area.

NASA states the eclipse will begin at 9:13 a.m. Saturday in Albuquerque, with maximum coverage at 10:34 a.m. for about five minutes. The eclipse will end shortly after noon. Other areas in New Mexico will experience the eclipse about the same time, with a few minutes difference.

The forthcoming eclipse prompted the New Mexico Department of Health to advise residents on how to protect their eyes during the event.

"When it comes to witnessing the Oct. 14 solar eclipse, choosing the right eye protection is non-negotiable," Patrick Allen, Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health, stated in a news release. "Ensure your safety with ISO 12312-2 labeled solar eclipse glasses, pinhole projection or No. 14 welder's glasses. Prioritize your eyesight, as 'eclipse blindness' is a silent danger."

Exposing eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during an eclipse can cause "eclipse blindness," or retinal burns. This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage has occurred.

Symptoms of eclipse blindness include loss of central vision, distorted vision and altered color vision. Those who notice symptoms after viewing the eclipse should seek treatment from an eye-care professional immediately.

The DOH also stated that residents should not use smartphones, camera viewfinders or unsuitable filters to view the eclipse.

A total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, in the central and northeast U.S., though New Mexico will see only a partial eclipse that day.